Nationwide Layoff Watch: Speculation About Mayer Brown
A tipster reported a rumor today that we've heard a couple of times over the past week and a half:
Word on the street is that Mayer Brown had big layoffs today.
The problem is, that was the word on the street yesterday. And Tuesday. And last week the word on the street was that Mayer Brown associates would be on the street by Friday.
We've spent a lot of time sleeping on the street. At this point, we haven't yet talked to one associate who has actually been laid off from Mayer Brown. Still, there's an awful lot of chatter out there.
Mayer Brown weighs in, after the jump.
The firm offered this statement in response to our information:
Despite the current conditions in the worldwide financial markets, Mayer Brown is having a strong year and most of its practices have performed well. Our practice area and geographic diversity has served us well. A few practice areas, however, have been affected by the slowdown in economic activity. We are conducting a firm-wide evaluation of our current and future staffing needs and will have more to say when that process is completed.
It certainly sounds like some people are going to be let go by Mayer Brown. But who (associates? staff?) and how many are still up in the air.
If they do lay people off, at least they are not going to be "stealthy" about it.
When the firm gets back to us, we'll get back to you.
Earlier: Prior ATL coverage of layoffs.
(190) 
Comments
First!!!!!!!111!!!oneoneone!!!
First>>??
These pretzel are making me hat MysTTTal
^ hate
No need to panic. Mayer Brown only laid off its homosexual associates. Everyone else is fine.
Third. Dollars to donuts it'll happen. "Collegial" leadership means some dithering to go with the greed and ruthlessness. And sadly, I know whereof I speak. Even know names within the office.
Where's gay angle to this story?
i bet this it true
Mayer Brown has been bleeding like crazy for a while now
if layoffs at any firm would not be surprising, Mayer Brown is it
Weil to 190!
This post is RACIST!
SKADDEN BONUSES JUST ANNOUNCED. SAME REGULAR BONUS AS LAST YEAR -- BUT NO SPECIAL BONUS.
Elie I love ya but yesterday was Tuesday.
Yestarday. And Tuesday.
Today is Wednesday!!!! Yesterday was Tuesday!!!!
Go back to Kindergarten.
Yesterday. And Tuesday.
Today is Wednesday!!!! Yesterday was Tuesday!!!!
Go back to Kindergarten.
Yesterday. And Tuesday.
Today is Wednesday!!!! Yesterday was Tuesday!!!!
Go back to Kindergarten.
SkaddenDC bonus was not being let go. Special bonus was a $5 coupon good at any local IHOP.
THANK YOU...finally a real post
THANK YOU...finally a real post...now let's hear where and how many. Oh, and don't forget about CWT!
true re skadden bonus?
Mayer Brown is serious TTT. They would probably hire MysTTTal.
Vagina.
i'm nervous my cover letter and resume aren't good enough. :(
-nervous T-10 1L
email job leads to nervoust101l@yahoo.com
I can personally confirm that MB Charlotte has laid off associates.
So if today is Wednesday, does that mean tomorrow is Friday?
Skadden bonus is false. No one has heard anything about it here.
forget this noise. 22 is a troll, and I'll believe layoffs when I hear about it thru WSJ lawblog.
Word is Wilson Sonsini had layoffs yesterday (at least the NY office)
I can confirm Skadden bonuses are same as last year, with no supplemental bonus. The memo also says they are not planning associate downsizing.
Charlotte is not a legal market.
I can confirm the Skadden bonus news: No special bonus. I just received the bonus memo now and am forwarding to Ellie as we speak.
nervous 1L: whoever you are, get a life - you've takent the joke too far. I assure you that you're wasting too much time recycling jokes to create a "clever" alter ego on a website
is a troll a liar in ATL-speak?
seriously stop it with the homophobia. this is becoming one of the most homophobic blogs on the internet. stop with the gay comments. it's immature and unprofessional. please be respectful.
Skadden...now that's a respectable shop.
Skadden announced bonuses. Same as last year without special bonus.
Skadden announced 15 minutes ago.
I can confirm Skadden bonuses are same as last year, with no supplemental bonus. The memo also says they are not planning associate downsizing.
In light of the foregoing, we will pay the year-end discretionary bonus at the same levels by class seniority which associates received in 2007 and 2006. However, we do not think it is appropriate to repeat the "special" supplemental bonus that was instituted last year. That bonus reflected a strong and growing economy that contributed to a record level of profitability.
27 - I've heard the same from a friend at Skadden NYC.
Is this "chatter" just from idiot comments or from some semi-legit sources? Links?
Elie,
Please confirm
"Word is Wilson Sonsini had layoffs yesterday (at least the NY office)"
Any update on the Cadwalader doomsday meeting?
28 - you're right, Charlotte is not a legal market. Bank of America? Get your head out of your ass.
Dear Nervous t-10 1L Impersonator,
There is a certain type of intelligence required in order to be funny, and you entirely lack it. Nervous t-10 1L is obsessive, subtle and, when strictly necessary, ruthless.
Your posts are way too literal. They contain direct statements from Nervous. Clearly, you missed the memo - Nervous only refers to himself in the 3rd person. Nervous makes his conniving intentions clear not through his words, but through his actions. His actions are unambiguously indicated by * marks (see, e.g., *no tear*). Nervous is no longer reading ATL at this point in the semester. He is busy outlining. He will outline while at the Thanksgiving table. His grades will be better than yours.
The picture you've added is remotely funny, but completely misses the mark, and is not germane to the original reasons why the posts were entertaining and useful (making nervous t-50 1Ls even more nervous). And the email tag at the bottom goes even further to completely ruin the effect.
With some irony, Nervous will get a SA associate position, and he will eventually climb The Evil Ladder and rise to the apex of his practice group (most likely private equity M&A - the most evil of practice groups). His success will come from the same basic rules that will save anybody reading this site - shut up, keep your head down, and work you ass off.
If you cannot make your posts funny, stop posting. Consider this your final warning.
Regards,
The Original Nervous t-10 1L
There is no such place as SkaddenNYC. Skadden was made up by David Lat.
32 = racist homophobe
32's comment is right on, you stupid gay homophobes...stop being so butt pirate-y.
"No need to panic. Mayer Brown only laid off its homosexual associates. Everyone else is fine."
Whew!, what a relief. Good news, indeed.
34 and 44 - get a sense of humor
Don't worry guys, all these layoffs will end next year when Obama raises taxes on law firm partners.
Yes We Can!
The real Nervous T-10 1L finally stands up.
Frankly, I'm surprised that if Mayer Brown did not lay off associates this spring that they would be doing so now. While not in great shape, they are in substantially better shape than they were during the spring, when I thought that they would just completely fall apart.
"this is becoming one of the most homophobic blogs on the internet."
You have NO IDEA what you're talking about. Nothing here comes close to the average level of hate and filth spewed at blogs that are **actually** homophobic.
You're one of those idiots who says things like "this is one of the greatest miscarriages of jusitce in history" over some chapter 7 debtor not getting a discharge, aren't you? Go back to your outliing--finals are approaching.
will someone photocopy my balls already?
handle with care
I personally know of fairly widespread staff layoffs taking place at Mayer Brown this week.
I do not know anything about attorney layoffs.
I second #50 -- billables are way up in my group compared with the spring. Seems to me that instead of firing associates, they need to rework their partnership system to provide for career senior associate or counsel positions. Way too many partners IMHO.
I personally know of fairly widespread staff layoffs taking place at Mayer Brown this week.
I do not know anything about attorney layoffs.
I am a big douchebag.
-nervous T-10 1L
email job leads to nervoust101l@yahoo.com
How is Skadden's Atlanta office doing? what about its Pittsburgh office?
If they are slow at Mayer Brown, can they have someone photocopy my balls ASAP?
Remember, please do handle with care
I personally know someone inside a certain Mayer Brown office who is purposefully sending in misinformation re this story!
59
who
where
explain
F&%K
i summered at Mayer Brown. Is my job offer safe?
PLEASE RESPOND
47, you probably meant 43 and 44 - but you mistyped it 34 and 44; my bet is that "Gay Rage" made you do it.
61, you're screwed.
Confirmed that I have no information about layoffs or anything related to the legal market.
Signed,
Oblivious 2L with more productive post than nervous T10 1L
Someone please tell me if Mayer is laying people off already? Stop with the gay jokes and just answer
THANKS!!!
@65: No.
Can I transfer departments at Mayer Brown from an underperforming practice group to photocopying balls? I hear there are many hours of work Xeroxing testes.
Confirm?
#65, I'm a MB associate in Chicago, and I haven't heard about any layoffs, although this post has me freaked.
WHY CANT ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT THE LAYOFFS
No Skadden office in Atlanta.
Stealth layoffs are happening as we speak. 3 in NYC last week I 100% know about.
Why did Skadden close the Atlanta office? What will Emory grads do now? Will they have to slum it at K&S now?
Everything before this week was stealth. Everything after this week will be acknowledged by Mayer. They've done some chopping, in several offices, already.
55. Hasn't Mayer Brown been laying off staff for the last year or two?
This site is pathetic. All of you have too much time on your hands. Count your blessings you have a job. I doubt any of you are billing 2000 hrs/year. And I am certain that successful attorneys at your firms are not wasting their time with this nonsense. The Great Depression II is near. See how things go on the breadlines. . .
Anyone know how strong Sidley is?
61 - you are so totally screwed!!! panic button! I'm soooooo startled!
poor
Everything before this week was stealth. Everything after this week will be acknowledged by Mayer. They've done some chopping, in several offices, already.
Sidley will layoff 15-20% of associates within 3 months. fo shizzle
Any word on the strength of Sidley?
Sidley corporate is very slow in NYC. Very slow.
I'm guessing that 76 is referring to Chicago.
80 = Kirkland troll?
Sidley has had stealth layoffs for months.
83
Kirkland is so much better than Sidley is isn't even funny. Better pay, better partners, better looking secretaries (mine at least).
Suck it douchebag
I heard people at Kirkland do a great job at photocopying balls.
Read it online.
i dont care about the 1L. we're all in the same boat. the job market sucks. at least you are likely living in a small apartment and have student loans. go intern at the state or municipal court and dont worry about whether you'll be wined and dined. and please stop posting about your resume or anything like that... i dont care.
85
Should your comment and send-off make me more or less willing to accept my Kirkland offer?
83
Mayer Brown
any news?
What's that? Layoffs?!? Don't talk about layoffs! You kidding me? Layoffs?
88
You don't have an offer at Kirkland.
You might as well ask if my post should make you more or less willing to accept your offer of a hummer from Miley Cyrus.
Thanks for playing. Now go back to studying in the Kent library.
loser
Jim Mora makes me laugh
90 - priceless. Jim Mora rules.
91 = wrong.
88, HLS 2L
Regardless of the Kirkland troll, Sidley does have not major but also not minor stealth layoffs going on.
88,
Probably an offer in NYC. Which is second rate.
HLS2L,
I'll give you an offer to photocopy my balls.
Thanks.
No.
88
These are all lies! Only securitization shops have been laying ppl off.
Oh, wait.
61 - did i just chat w/ you on gmail?????
88,
You're an idiot. I can figure out who you are now.
Please accept. Please.
I'm going to step out of my office for a second. By the time I get back, I expect to have photocopies of my balls waiting for me on my desk.
100 - Maybe.
Elie - yesterday was Tuesday. I'm surprised no one has called you fat for that mistake yet.
Elie - yesterday was Tuesday. I'm surprised no one has called you fat for that mistake yet.
It maybe should be noted that MB is doing associate reviews right now. I haven't heard about any layoffs or anyone getting fired, so I don't know the story. But if only 3 associates in NYC were let go, it's possible they just sucked at their jobs.
That said, the MB "official response" is somewhat troubling, as it suggests layoffs might be coming, especially in any practice areas that are slow -- which means corporate and real estate, I presume.
Is it funny when 2 1L's troll each other over MB?
No.
Stick to your studying and leave the adults to talk about this.
88's offer appears to be from l.a.; or he/she may go to howard?
91,
What the hell is a Kent?
-108
Damn you 108!!!!!!!
-109
Associate reviews have been over for a long time now. These are completely unfounded rumors and are not true. I work in one of the areas that would be first affected and it simply isn't true. Revenues are great this year, all things considered. The partners might take a hit on their bottom line profits (due to higher expenses: read associate compensation), but so will every firm this year.
Blow it out your ass, 111. I'm in one of the areas affected and I know about layoffs.
Associate reviews aren't over, either. Senior associates are being reviewed right now.
It's been a long time coming for that place.
112, what office? what practice area? When? the idea that Mayer Brown had big layoffs today, or this week, or any large group anytime recently is simply not true. Sure, I know of 2 or 3 people who have been fired in the past year, but they were shitty associates and this is a huge firm. They were sat down and talked to and given time to fix things and they didn't. good riddance.
Confirmed. Sidley has been doing stealth layoffs for months.
Can the author of the post about the Wilson Sonsini layoffs please elaborate? Or could Elie post something about this?
111 and 114 are dead wrong. There have been more than just a few stealth layoffs in more than one office. Most of the affected have not left yet so you won't see it for a few more months.
111 and 114 are dead wrong. There have been more than just a few stealth layoffs and it has been in more than one office (LA and DC for sure). More to come.
117, sure, there have been a few layoffs in each office this year. It's a firm of 1800 people. There has not been, and is not, any systematic firing of anybody for any reasons other than the fact they were shitty associates. If the same thing happens to shitty counsel and partners as well, so be it. You would be a poorly managed firm not to do those things.
113, I agree with the sentiment but the associates are not the ones at fault. Blame the partners, particularly those in the relevant transactional area.
113, I agree with the sentiment but the associates are not the ones at fault. Blame the partners, particularly those in the relevant transactional area.
118: The fact you are even mentioning the LA and DC offices show that you have no idea what you are talking about. First, those are small offices--LA has just over 50 people. Second, they don't do any of the finance/structured finance/securitization/corporate work that has been slow, and virtually every other practice group has been busy this year, all year long. Any firings in those offices obviously have nothing to do with this thread.
114 - what about associates who were not "sat down and talked to and given time to fix things" but were nonetheless asked to leave by partners who cited a slowdown among clients as the reason? Shitty associates, too?
MB Partner here. I'm willing to photocopy your balls. Would you like it done in color or black and white?
123: Neither I nor any of my friends has heard of that happening. Sure, it's possible the dim-witted associate who was at 60% utilization didn't take the clues, but whose fault is that?
124: Sepia, please.
111, check back a week from now. I hope what you're saying holds up, but that's not what I'm hearing.
Also, junior associate reviews are over, but senior associate reviews are just beginning.
126, 111 is probably more correct -- the paper reviews (in Chicago at least) were given out at least a month ago, so there shouldn't be any surprises. The sit-down is (at least for me) more of a discussion on where you want to go, what they hope you'll do in the next year, etc. The review itself, and what goes in your file, is the paper review with the ratings and partner comments.
I don't know if it's different in other offices though.
127, the process is the same in NYC. I don't know of anyone who's been cut, and most (though by no means all) of my department is running somewhere between 90-110% each month. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see some less productive associates move on over the next few months, but I don't think anything happened today that isn't happening routinely, here and elsewhere, all the time. Particularly as nothing's shown up on LawBlog, etc.
thanks 127, I've been through it many times (in Chicago) -- the paper reviews were given to junior associates first, that process is just starting for senior associates
But what about WILDMAN HARROLD?
But what about WILDMAN HARROLD?
Guys at my high school used to photocopy each other's balls all the time. It was no big deal.
Remember, there are no small balls. Only small dicks.
And large assholes.
so are people getting fired or what?
To my associate colleagues at Sidley: As you know, we're doing fine. The fact that we're convservatively managed is really paying dividends right now. Hope you're all doing well.
What is happening at Latham?
34 = pillow biter. Don't try to hide behind your homouflage.
111 & 112 -- does your exchange reflect the culture at MB?
Mayer Brown will lay off a number of lawyers and staff over the next couple of weeks. It's true.
@ 140 - it reflects partnership culture, and that's what I clearly aspire to.
-112.
Staff layoffs today @ MB Chicago. Attorney layoffs to follow in the coming weeks (pre-Christmas).
3 more senior partners left today, 5 left last week, and my firm is interviewing loads of people dying to get out of the place. None of the partners are taking associates with them and their business is falling apart. At some point gravity takes over and the excess salaries lawyers won't be able to avoid being let go.
You're right, 143. The sky IS falling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NY MB is supposed to be laying off around 70 lawyers. So the gods above (or reliable source) have let me know.
144 = MB HR troll
145 = WTF? There's no way they're laying off 30% of their lawyers in that office.
They are laying off staff
They are laying off staff
They already laid off the NY securitization associates months ago. We are now seeing resumes in practice areas across the board. And they have offers accepted from about 40 summer associates for next year. NICE!!!!!
They already laid off the NY securitization associates months ago. We are now seeing resumes in practice areas across the board. And they have offers accepted from about 40 summer associates for next year. NICE!!!!!
Baseless unverified rumor posts like this make this website truly worthless
The staff layoffs are not a rumor. I have independent verification of them. Attorney layoffs are still rumor.
They are laying off people right now.
Attorney layoffs are going down right now in Charlotte.
They are laying people off in NY. The second years have been hit hard. Why has this not been posted?
Also have verification that Sidley Chicago has been engaging in stealth layoffs. Many lit people have been on a "leave" of suspiciously long duration.
Can confirm 4 staff layoffs today in MB Houston office. Can confirm 2 associates quit recently - possibly forced out. Rumor is attorney layoffs are imminent.
Situation at MB Houston is very bad.
Are MB layoffs going down or not?
158 - yes. It appears that they're going down in all offices.
They're going down, 158. We've counted maybe 10 in New York so far, many of them second years but also some senior associates and counsel. Apparently, first years are safe. Friends in other offices tell me it's happening throughout the U.S. Don't know if anything is happening in Europe or Asia.
Mayer Brown laying off as we speak. This should come as no surprise, however. MB hit the iceberg quite some time ago.
Mayer Brown laying off as we speak. This should come as no surprise, however. MB hit the iceberg quite some time ago.
Make that 6 so far in Houston, including paralegals. They are going around the office, so there may be more to come today.
Still rumors that lawyers are next. Will confirm when I hear more.
I hear that there are at least a dozen or so associates in MB Chicago who have gotten the axe today. Mostly or completely in corporate, finance and real estate. No word on severance, but it seems that some of them might be getting nothing because they have been getting paid and getting firm help in looking for a job for as long as, in a few cases, six months. Others might get three months to be on "leave" and get paid while they look for something.
160 here. Sorry, I should have been clearer. That is 10 laid-off lawyers we've counted so far. We know of 5 paralegals and staff members.
MB associates who are being told that they're out today are receiving three months of continued employment (salary, health insurance, etc.) but are being told that this arrangement will cease after the expiration of three months. By that time, they should (yeah, right) have found alternate employment.
I don't know about attorneys who were warned or given a similar notice some time ago (to the extent that any of them remained).
Skadden Chicago just laid off that weird guy that works in the mailroom. Expect this to ripple throughout the firm worldwide.
Skadden Chicago just laid off that weird guy that works in the mailroom. Expect this to ripple throughout the firm worldwide.
166, 164 here, what do you hear about total numbers in the Chicago office?
My contacts there say that no one is really sure, because some stealth/performance/normal-course-of-business layoffs were already going on, but it seems that there are at least 10-20 definites and maybe more depending on who is talking to whom.
160/165 here. My guess is that MB will make an announcement tomorrow (Friday evening would make sense, right?), and say how many have been let go. If you want to know the real number, just double it . . . like you should with the announcements from the other firms. Then again, MB management is stupid enough to either be honest or to announce an ridiculously small number.
You people are tools. If you lose you job, you're in luck...temp xmas work is only a week away! Bust out your bells!
Total numbers are between 30 and 35 lawyers spread across the US offices.
169,
I don't have any Chicago info. I'm in a satellite.
169,
I don't have any Chicago info. I'm in a satellite.
Layoffs in the Houston Texas office confirmed for staff.
Layoffs in the Houston Texas office confirmed for staff for MB.
Layoffs in the Houston Texas office confirmed for staff for MB.
Layoffs in the Houston Texas office confirmed for staff for MB.
169,
I don't have any Chicago info. I'm in a satellite.
170 here. Your number is way low, 172. MB has nearly 2,000 lawyers; laying off 30 or 35 (less than 2%) doesn't even move the dial, and if they wanted to do that, they'd just do them as stealth firings and nobody would notice. This has got to be in the 5% range, so 100 lawyers minimum, maybe more.
61. Stop freaking. You're fine. (unless you're planning to be a corporate/finance associate in Houston. Then you're not fine.) Other than that, relax. The firm is not folding and the offer remains.
84/95/115: I accepted an offer from Sidley NY. Has that office been doing stealth layoffs too? How many, and in what groups?
61. Stop freaking. You're fine. (unless you're planning to be a corporate/finance associate in Houston. Then you're not fine.) Other than that, relax. The firm is not folding and the offer remains.
61. Stop freaking. You're fine. (unless you're planning to be a corporate/finance associate in Houston. Then you're not fine.) Other than that, relax. The firm is not folding and the offer remains.
Elie - look into the layoffs at Fried Frank today in DC. Apparently the RE department took a serious hit.
84/95/115: I accepted an offer from Sidley NY. Has that office been doing stealth layoffs too? How many, and in what groups?
180, the 30-35 doesn't include the non-US offices. No clue what's going on with them numbers-wise, though I heard there are going to be cuts everywhere, so the numbers firm-wide should clearly be higher. 30 to 35 is I think at least 5% of the US associates though if I'm remembering the numbers right.
And there's staff layoffs as well.
180, the 30-35 doesn't include the non-US offices. No clue what's going on with them numbers-wise, though I heard there are going to be cuts everywhere, so the numbers firm-wide should clearly be higher. 30 to 35 is I think at least 5% of the US associates though if I'm remembering the numbers right.
And there's staff layoffs as well.
Non U.S. offices are coming later, once they work out the labor law issues that other countries have.
Wilson Sonsini definitely had layoffs yesterday (Tuesday) in their Palo Alto office. I used to work there and my friend was one of the people.